by Diana Andrews

When you hear the words, “Gulf Shores, Alabama vacation” what immediately comes to mind? Perhaps

• Golden bright sunshine
• Sugar white sand beaches
• Sparkling emerald gulf waters
• Fresh-from-the-catch seafood?

Whether you’re a first time visitor or a returning guest, you’re sure to have your expectations met and, more than likely, exceeded!

Perhaps you’re the type of traveler who likes to experience the unusual activities that may not otherwise be associated with the obvious reasons why someone visits the Gulf Shores area. Such as

• Ocean Camps at Perdido Beach
• Alligator Alley
• Nighttime crab hunting
• Pristine woodland tours.

Again, first-timers and returning guests will NOT be disappointed! There are always plenty of usual and unusual things to do no matter the season. Or time of day. Or time of night!

Maybe you associate vacations with fitting in as many activities as you possibly can in the time that you have available.

Or perhaps you only want to associate Gulf Shores’ vacations with beach activities or your very own beach wedding!

With 101 Things to do at the beach and 100 days of summer to do it in, you’re sure to need to start associating Gulf Shores’ vacations with needing a vacation to recover from your vacation!

So, why not find the perfect Gulf Shores Alabama vacation deals, book two weeks instead of one, and plan to enjoy all the activities the area has to offer followed by or interspersed with plenty of relaxing days soaking in the rays.

You’ll be associating Gulf Shores vacations with fun and relaxation enough to keep you coming back for more.

by Diana Andrews

From concerts to support the Gulf oil spill victims to the newly founded Hangout Music Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama has become a place to see great live music from a full range of genres. Music lovers of all ages are sure to find the sounds that get their feet tapping and their pearly white smiles gleaming in the warm, tropical sun. After the crowds clear and the sound systems are removed, you’ll find pleasurable sounds of a different sort to tame the revved up beast created from heart pounding, fun loving, fist-pumping live music experiences.

Escape the ringing in your ears and revel in a more delightful, toned down music; the sounds of the great outdoors. With forested land and water resources working to create four diverse ecosystems, there’s an abundance of natural beauty to sink your senses into. Alabama’s Gulf Shores offer outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of sporting opportunities where you can relax and enjoy a favorite past-time or learn a new skill. All the while you’re soaking in the sounds of birds calling, waves wafting and whales and dolphins communicating in their unique languages.

Anglers will rejoice in the many calls of ‘fish on!’ heard on the inland waterways as well as the warm waters of the Gulf. Sail off on a quest for that elusive blue marlin or nestle yourself in a sweet spot along one of Alabama’s great fishing trails to include the Alabama Hunting & Fishing Trail for People with Physical Disabilities. There are plenty of places to rent your gear if you’re not planning on bringing your own. Fresh water and salt water adventures await your bait.

Tune your ears to the skies and learn to identify the calls of many avian residents. Hiking around the mountains, meadows and swamps will bring a plethora of species to your attention. Compare the different species as you stroll along the many beaches and marvel at the many entries of identified birds as you learn to keep track in a birding journal. Once you return home, you can continue your auditory journey of the birds that are native to your home area. Jump start your new hobby at the annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest!

The Alabama Sound comes in all forms and volume levels. From the foot stomping, heart pounding music to the tranquil calls of a diverse population of wild inhabitants, visitors to the Alabama Gulf Shores will open their ears to the sounds that make this area a great place to visit, explore, and experience.

If you were to look up a who’s who in the Alabama Gulf Coast region, you would be sure to find “the Beachman”  While Allen Johnson may not be native to the Gulf Shore area, he has been the go-to-guy for people seeking the “perfect” property in this region since going in to the Real Estate business eight years ago. Following his heart Allen discovered Real Estate was a natural transition from the corporate world it combined his passion for renovation of properties with his love of the Gulf Coast in a way that allows others to share in the dream. People always talk about “do what you love and you’ll love what you do” well, it’s true!

Allen’s passion for the living the dream extends to raising his three daughters (triplets) in this place he now calls home. I wanted them to grow up in a real community, and it doesn’t get much more real than this. Allen was born in Atlanta, but later moved to Nashville to graduate from Vanderbilt University. He and his wife chose a location that allowed them to pursue their outdoor interests; swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing as well as their daughters love for all things water, and when time allows just lounging on the beach.

The Beachman founded Three Palms Real Estate in 2005 through a strong desire to “do things a little different” his love of the laid back life style was something he felt strongly could be incorporated in the Real Estate/Vacation Rental and Property management aspect of business. So with this passion in leading the way he created a unique business that values everything that the Gulf Coast personifies. Love of the outdoors, warm, friendly people and beautiful properties are what motivate Allen to bring you into the circle of devoted Gulf Coast lovers.

When you’re ready to join the laid back crowd you’ll find that Pleasure Island has more to offer than you imagine. Whether you want to invest in the changing scene or become an active part of it, the best place to turn for Gulf Shores realty is The Beachman, Allen Johnson.

Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful and Protected

Only a few months from the two year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, and it’s in the news again. Or is it still? Either way, the news is all good; for residents, business owners, and travelers!

• Damage claims resume
• Required 6% hold-back on claims no longer applies retroactively (good decision, Your Honor)
• Victims won’t be required to give any portion of their received monies back (which means they don’t have to stick it to the consumer to get it back)
• The beaches have been clean for awhile                         
• TRAVELERS RETURNED to give many businesses a much-improved 2011

A lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears went into returning the beaches to their former pristine beauty.

Now residents and holiday visitors can help to further restore the beaches and dunes by

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS TREES!   

So, if you’ve been vacationing in one of the many Gulf Shores condo rentals, staying in a rental home or reside in the area year round, you’ll want to drive by the Gulf State Park Pier and drop your Christmas tree at the parking lot toward the east end.  This effort will not only help preserve and protect these fragile beaches, but it will bring new meaning to ‘Take only pictures. Leave only memories.’

Bring the family back next year and remember how you helped to build the secondary dune line.
Or go to Middle Lake and create stories about how your Christmas tree  may be one of those that were sunk under the dock to attract fish!

I’ve often left my Christmas tree out for the birds to have protection during the cold, winter months of the Midwest. I never imagined you could have the same sense of satisfaction in a warmer climate!

Recently, a local excavation project in Snowmass Village, CO uncovered a plethora of prehistoric bones, fossils and plant specimens perfectly preserved in a deep layer of peat.  It’s considered to be one of the largest fossil finds in the country and definitely for the state of Colorado. Not only was this large group of animals found all in one place, there are remnants of ice age beasts not normally thought to live at such a high elevation.

Imagine my surprise to learn that the Alabama Gulf Coast also has a rich history where the landscape was inhabited by sloth, mammoth and mastodons!

How can it be that the same creatures were able to survive (well for a time, at least) in two such different and opposing climates?

Visitors can further their understanding of the Gulf Shores, Alabama sea life and land creatures with the help of the Weeks Bay Foundation.  This intricate landscape encompasses over 6,000 acres of land and water in and around the Weeks and Mobile Bay areas. Visitors should take advantage of the free educational interpretive center and two boardwalks.

As you’re enjoying the beachfronts, waterways and local eats, can you imagine what it would’ve looked like 11,000 years ago with mastodons, sloths and mammoths roaming the neighborhoods?

Do you think you could trace their steps forward to see what has evolved as modern day creatures inhabiting the area?

How many of them are now celebrated with local festivals or served regularly at the nearby restaurants?

Rev up your imagination, grab the kids and begin exploring the Gulf Shores of Alabama with the mindset of a paleontologist or archaeologist and create your own stories of evolution and adaptation of the species on the daily menu or strolling the beaches.